Paul Martin joins Wynne government as advisor on retirement income

Kathleen Wynne’s Ontario Liberal government is bringing former prime minister Paul Martin on board to advise them on changes they’re considering making to the province’s retirement income system.

Martin, who served as finance minister for almost a decade before becoming prime minister, will serve as a special advisor to Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa as the province looks for a “made-in-Ontario solution” to its perceived retirement income shortfall.

That solution is supposed to come in the form of an Ontario Pension Plan that would supplement the Canadian Pension Plan.

In the official press release Wednesday, the Liberals cited Martin’s “instrumental role in the 1997 federal-provincial agreement to reform the CPP” as one of the main reasons they’ve asked for his assistance.

They also took the opportunity to criticize the Harper government’s handling of the CPP file, which is why they’re looking at a provincial option.

“After the federal government failed to agree to enhance the CPP, our government announced that we will move ahead with a made-in-Ontario solution to enhance retirement savings in the province,” said Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa.

“Paul Martin will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience as we work towards ensuring that future generations have a more secure retirement.”

In a statement provided to iPolitics in response to this story, Kevin Sorenson, the Minister of State for Finance, said the following:

“Ontario should stop dragging their feet on implementing Pooled Registered Pension Plans, denying 60% of Ontarians without access to a workplace pension plan another opportunity to save. The Liberal Government of Paul Martin slashed transfers to Ontario at record levels, unlike our Government that is increasing support to Ontario.”